Top Rank Wins Purse Bid For Artur Beterbiev Vs. Marcus Browne

After clinching a winning bid of $1,105,000, Top Rank is allowed to stage the title fight between IBF/WBC champion Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) and WBC mandatory Marcus Browne (24-1, 16 KOs).

ESPN journalist Mike Coppinger confirmed the news on social media. TGB Promotions was short of winning the purse bid ($1,001,000). The champ is ranked at No. 1 spot in ESPN’s rankings for 175 pounds while Browne is ranked ninth.

This will be a tough outing for the light heavyweight titlist since Browne is a tad better than his last opponent, Adam Deines.

Last March, Beterbiev defended his title against Deines in Moscow. The champ took his time in breaking down Deines before clinching a tenth-round finish.

But we may not see the same Beterbiev now. He has been inactive for a year and a half, recovered from multiple injuries and COVID-19 in the meanwhile. While his performance against Deines was good, he will have to up the ante against Marcus Browne to continue his winning streak and take on Canelo Alvarez in near future.

If Alvarez beats Caleb Plant and moves to the light heavyweight division, a showdown against Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol or Joe Smith Jr. is certain.